Soviet Jewry

Marshall Goldman (Editorial Pages, Jan. 31) believes there are hopeful signs of a thaw in U.S.-Soviet relations, which could reach refuseniks. His views are interesting and useful.

We understand that the Jackson-Vanik Amendment is not cast in concrete. So did its prime author, the late Sen. Henry (Scoop) Jackson (D-Wash.). If conditions will warrant a repeat of the 1979 experience, by restoring the flow that saw 51,000 Jews leave the Soviet Union, maybe Goldman's proposal about adjusting the Jackson-Vanik Amendment could become policy. It is a possibility worth considering.

EDWARD B. ROBIN

Los Angeles

Robin is vice chairman of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry and chairman of the Los Angeles Commission on Soviet Jewry.